The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-06-29
VOTED FOB fREIRBgER.
WHERE OPPOSITION TO THE
NEW CONSTITUTION OF
The Knights Of labor Came From,
and the Obnoxious Clause
Which Prompted 1t.
POWERS OF THE GENERAL
BOIRD INCREASED.
A Vested Right TO Settle All Strikes
aud Disputes Wltheut Amy
Interference.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, June 28.-By
returns made TO the general head
quarters Of the knights Of Labor this
morning, the new constitution Of the
order embodying so many important
changes, has been adopted by three
fourths vote. A clause providing for
the formation Of National Trades AS.
semblies, sent out separately from the
constitution and voted upon by the
local assemblies throughout the order,
has also been adopted by nearly the
same vote, The new constitution will
be promulgated by the General Exec
utive Board In q few days and will 20
into effect Immediately after its pro-
mitigation. An analysis of the vote
shows that nearly half OF the local as
semblies that opposed the adoption Of
the new constitution did 30 on &C
count of section 1926, which reads:
"No local or other assembly or mem.
Der shall directly or indirectly give,
sell, or have any ale, beer or intoxl-
eating liquors OF any kind at any meet
ing, party, sociable, ball, picnic or en-
tertainment whatever appertaining to
the order. Any member found guilty
of violating this law shall be sus-
pended not less than six months or
expelled. No fine shall be imposed
for this ofiense. ANY local or other
assembly 80 offending shall be sus-
pended during the pleasure OF the
General Executive Board, or shall
have Its charter revoked by said
beard"
Nearly every assembly composed
solely Of Germans voted against this
clause, and therefore against the
whole. The article upon cooperation
was adopted unanimously. It Is quite
lengthy and provides for the creation
and disbursement Of fund to aid CO.
operation enterprises. Each. local as
sembly is required to collect and de-
post sum not less than 2 cents per
month for every member in good
standing. The money is to be invested
by the Cooperative Board, and profits
are to be divided equally between the
General Assembly, tina Cooperative
Fund and the workmen who create
the profit. The new constitution gives
the General Executive Board full
power to set le all strikes and disputes,
whether sanctioned by the board or
not, and II increseas the powers of the
general board In many other particu-
lars. Hereafter each district, State,
national or unattached local assembly
shall be entitled to one delegate to
each 5000 members, or majority frac-
ton thereof. The term OF office, over
which there has been 30 much con-
troveIsy, has been fixed at two years.
The compensation hereafter will Tbe
fixed by the General Assembly when
the officer 10 elected. :"
The National Trade Aseemblys clause
Is probably the most important Of the
changes. 1t provides that "auy par
ticular trade or calling may form q Ma.
tional Trade Assembly by giving at
least three months notice TO each To-
cal assembly--the entire membership
OF which is composed OF such trade--to
attend convention for TIE purpose OF
forming National Trade Assembly"
At least two-thirds OF the local assem-.
blies must vote in favor Of the trade
assembly, and not less than ten assem-.
blies, II there be that number in the
order, may receive charter.
Section Of the article Is not very
strong, however, as 1t still leaves, the
matter in the hands Of the General
Executive Board, which, II the law
has been complied with, may instruct
the General Secretary to issue char
ter. Votes will be received until July
10Th and recorded, although the new
constitution will be in effect some
tune before that, probably about July
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